The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Dizzycow on April 14, 2012, 04:04:11 pm

Title: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: Dizzycow on April 14, 2012, 04:04:11 pm
Can female ducks have a curly tail feather? I'm sure he / she is quacking like a girl, and is the same size as the girls....   :&>
 :)
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: little blue on April 14, 2012, 04:13:00 pm
unlikely ... unless its a Frizzle! ;)  :D
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: Dizzycow on April 14, 2012, 04:27:34 pm
Nope. Indian Runner. I'm confused, though. If it wasn't for the tail I'd say it's definitely female.
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: jaykay on April 14, 2012, 06:47:00 pm
You need my Dad, the duck whisperer  :D He gets ducklings to talk in his ear and he can tell immediately if they're ducks or drakes  :thumbsup:

But no, curly tail is a drake. A chatty one maybe, but definitely a drake.
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: little blue on April 14, 2012, 06:52:50 pm
our drake ir is the same size as the girls, and the noisiest of them all!
he quacks likr he's laughing, and its the funniest thing he's ever heard!

jaykay, what's your dad doing next month?
we've just set duck eggs in the incy, and I can't tell 'em apart til they grow a drake feather ::)
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: jaykay on April 14, 2012, 07:17:50 pm
No, I didn't used to be able to and Dad could every time  ::)
However, now I've learned to vent sex, which is explained very clearly and sensibly in this YouTube video
vent sexing ducklings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0kqaA8balc#ws)
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: CameronS on April 14, 2012, 07:26:54 pm
is this Dotty?? -  first transgender duck???  :o  :&>

I would have said female had it not been for the tail - never made a noise in all the time i was there so couldn't have a go at working it out from that!

strange beings ducks!!
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: Dizzycow on April 15, 2012, 08:40:47 am
Indeed it is Dotty, Cameron! I've heard the quack quite a lot since bringing her here, and it's a proper female quack, not the raspy drake noise. He/she/it is the same size as the girls, not as big as the boys. There was quite major rape when I released Dotty, but I know that that can be a domination thing and can't be relied on as evidence of gender in a court of law. The quacking is the main reason I'm confused, it's definitely a lady quack, but as you know most definitely a curly tail! Never thought about the trans-gender issue. I know what some people on this site can be like, and I don't want to be accused of discrimination, or trying to force Dotty to choose whether he/she/it is one or the other. I'm quite happy to let Dotty cross dress if that's what he/she/it wants, and to live out his/her/it's days in the relative privacy of the pond, safe from any bigots or tabloid press, however I'd quite like to know if I might get any eggs from him/her/it!
 :)
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: Dizzycow on April 15, 2012, 08:41:32 am
Jaykay, if your dad is passing nearby Dunfermline any time soon let me know!!!
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: jaykay on April 15, 2012, 09:13:47 am
He could have a new career in his retirement  :D
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: CameronS on April 15, 2012, 02:46:57 pm
Quote
He could have a new career in his retirement 

the duck your your dad  ;) :D
Title: Re: Curly tails in IRs
Post by: jaykay on April 15, 2012, 03:37:00 pm
Lol, Dad. But maybe the cross-dressing duck too  :D